Visit Lausanne

Welcome to Visit Lausanne.com, an independant Travel guide using the "Visit" branding style adopted by more and more private Tourist Guides, marketing-savvy Hotel organisations or official Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Lausanne is a city where history feels vibrantly alive, shaped by its medieval heritage, its lakeside setting and its role as the Olympic Capital.

It grew on steep hills above Lake Geneva around a bishop’s seat, crowned by a Gothic cathedral consecrated in 1275 in the presence of Pope Gregory X and Rudolf of Habsburg. For centuries, the old town of Cité, the covered market stairs and the Place de la Palud defined its rhythm, while bridges spanned the valleys of the Flon and the Louve. Since 1915, Lausanne has also been the home of the International Olympic Committee, and today the Olympic Museum in Ouchy, the cantonal museums of Plateforme 10 and the Palais de Rumine reflect a city that blends culture, sport and science. Few places in Switzerland combine a medieval core and an international outlook so naturally.

Modern Lausanne blends this heritage with a young, energetic atmosphere carried by its universities. The promenades of Ouchy, the paddle steamers crossing the lake to Évian and Montreux, and the terraced vineyards of Lavaux offer walks, panoramic views and wine tasting with the Alps on the horizon. The lively Flon district, markets and festivals add to its appeal. Lausanne is a place where a cathedral watchman still calls the hours at night, where art meets the lakeshore, and where tradition and innovation coexist with ease.

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